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Bangladesh's Supreme Court has hardened the sentence against
Abdul Quader Molla, a top Islamist of a key opposition party, from a life term to
death for his role in mass killings committed during the country's war of independence
from Pakistan in 1971. But what caught my eye in particular was that Molla was
also convicted on a separate charge of murdering a prominent journalist, Khandoker
Abu Taleb, on March 29, 1971.

Nadia Sharmeen was attacked when she tried to cover a protest in April. (Ekushey TV)

It has been a turbulent year for journalists in Bangladesh. It began with blogger Asif Mohiuddin being stabbed in January as he left his office in Dhaka. The following month, blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider was killed for his writing. Four other bloggers, including Mohiuddin, were arrested in early April (all four have been released on bail, but still face criminal charges). Meanwhile, an editor of a pro-opposition newspaper is imprisoned.

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New
York, July 23, 2013--Authorities in Bangladesh should immediately investigate the
role of a member of parliament in a physical altercation with two journalists
on Saturday, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Almost eight years have passed since the murder of Bangladeshi
journalist Gautam Das,
but the slow wheels of justice have finally rotated. Late last month, a court
sentenced nine individuals to life in prison in connection with the scribe's
murder. Many local journalists have hailed the verdict as a landmark, the first
time a Bangladeshi court has successfully prosecuted a murder of a journalist.

New York, May 8, 2013--The safety of journalists covering political turmoil in Bangladesh must be respected by all parties, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today after at least 11 journalists were reported injured while covering demonstrations by Islamists earlier this week in Dhaka.

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At least five journalists reported being
attacked on April 13, 2013, while covering alleged extortion by students at
Dhaka University in the capital. News accounts said
the students had been extorting money from drivers of vehicles in the
surrounding area, but did not offer further details.

As political turmoil continues between Islamists and
secularists in Bangladesh, the climate for press freedom is rapidly
deteriorating. The tensions stem from an
ongoing war crimes tribunal tasked with prosecuting genocide, crimes against
humanity, and other crimes dating back to the 1971 war of independence.

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New
York, April 16, 2013--The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned by the
official harassment of a pro-opposition daily in Dhaka and calls on all parties
to ensure a free and vibrant press is allowed to function amid ongoing
political turmoil.

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New
York, April 12, 2013--Amid growing political conflict that threatens even more
violence in Bangladesh, an editor of a pro-opposition newspaper in Dhaka has
been arrested on accusations of inciting religious tension, according to news reports. The editor
faces earlier charges of sedition as well, the reports said.